For carry-on bags, the TSA allows liquids in travel-size containers of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less, all packed in one quart-size clear bag. This 3-1-1 rule still applies at US airports in October 2026, while some airports abroad now accept larger containers. You will see which bottles to choose, how to pack them and where the limit rises to 2 liters.
How big are travel size bottles?
A TSA-compliant travel bottle holds 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less, with the capacity printed on it. The TSA does not certify bottle brands: any container within that size passes, as long as it fits in your quart-size bag. Sizes and rules for that bag are in our guide to the TSA approved bag for liquids.
Anything that pours, spreads or sprays counts as a liquid:
- Drinks, water and sauces.
- Shower gel, shampoo and lotion.
- Toothpaste, shaving foam and pastes.
- Cologne, spray deodorant and aerosols.
A half-empty 5 oz bottle is still refused, because only the printed capacity counts. Garbelle designs its travel accessories for men around this carry-on format.
What are TSA approved travel size bottles?
Pick refillable bottles of 3.4 oz or less, with the capacity marked on the side. A soft silicone bottle squeezes out the last drop, and an anti-drip valve limits leaks in flight.
The Garbelle carry-on bottle kit includes 4 bottles of 90 ml (3 oz) approved for the cabin, plus a regulation clear pouch. Each bottle weighs 41 g (1.4 oz), in food-grade BPA-free silicone, with a wide opening for easy refills. The 4 colors tell shampoo, shower gel and lotion apart at a glance.
Which airports allow more than 3.4 oz of liquid?
Airports with new CT scanners, known in Europe as C3 scanners, can allow containers up to 2 liters. US airports still apply the 3.4 oz limit, even in CT lanes where the liquids stay in your bag.
| Departure airport | Maximum container | Liquids out at security |
|---|---|---|
| US airports (TSA) | 3.4 oz (100 ml), quart-size bag | Yes, except in CT lanes |
| London Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, Birmingham | 2 liters | No |
| Rome Fiumicino | 2 liters, since July 26, 2025 | No |
| Most other European airports | 100 ml, 1-liter bag | Yes |
This table reflects the rules published as of October 8, 2026 by airports, authorities and travel press. Your return airport may apply the 100 ml limit, so bottles of 3.4 oz or less work everywhere.
How should you pack liquids in a carry-on bag?
Keep the quart-size bag in an outside pocket or at the top of your bag, so you can take it out at security without unpacking. With TSA PreCheck or in CT lanes, the bag of liquids stays inside.
Other toiletries travel separately: a toothbrush, razor and comb are not liquids. The Garbelle leather toiletry bag holds these essentials in 3 liters, with zipped pockets on the front and inside.
How do you stop travel bottles from leaking on a plane?
At altitude, cabin pressure drops and the air inside each bottle expands, which pushes liquid toward the cap. Four steps limit the risk:
- Fill each bottle only three-quarters full.
- Squeeze out the air before closing the bottle.
- Screw the cap on tightly and check the valve.
- Stand the bottles upright in the closed bag.
Which liquids are exempt from the 3-1-1 rule?
Medications and infant or child nourishment are exempt from the 3.4 oz limit, as long as you declare them at the checkpoint. Officers may screen these items separately.
On an inbound international flight with a US connection, duty-free liquids over 3.4 oz stay allowed in a secure, tamper-evident bag with a recent receipt. Keep that bag sealed until your final destination.
For a trip of several days with a carry-on only, 4 bottles of 3 oz cover shampoo, shower gel, lotion and aftershave. Find the bottle kit and the other Garbelle travel accessories for men on the dedicated page.
